Legislative Record of Senator John Kerry
On Issues of Concern to the Pro-Israel Community

Legislative Record

Foreign Aid
Foreign Aid: Israel Specific
Jerusalem
Arms Sales
Iran
Miscellaneous

Interest Group Ratings

John Kerry’s Views on the Middle East

Legislative Record

Interest Group Ratings

2003 — On the votes that the Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel (JPPI) considered to be the most important in 2003, a point system was established for both the Senate and the House. In the Senate, total possible points range from a high of +3 and a low of -4. In the House, points range from +9 to -7. The Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel (JPPI) assigned Senator Kerry a score of -1.

2001-2002 — On the votes that the Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel (JPPI) considered to be the most important in 2001-2002, a point system was established for both the Senate and the House. In the Senate, total possible points range from a high of +1 and a low of -5. In the House, points range from +6 to -6. The Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel (JPPI) assigned Senator Kerry a score of -3.

Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel (JPPI) describes itself as "a group of American Jews who believe that a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel is attainable through negotiations based on international law and the implementation of relevant United Nations (UN) resolutions. We believe that as Jews outside of Israel, we have both a right and obligation to speak out in favor of an Israel that pursues peaceful, ethical, just, and democratic policies." JPPI opposes the Patriot Act and they oppose a Jewish presidence in East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). They support the Palestinian right of return into Israel. They are a member of the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation. They are based in Washington, D.C. This organization is anti-Israel.

2003 — On the votes that the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation considered to be the most important in 2003, a point system was established for both the Senate and the House. In the Senate, total possible points range from a high of +3 and a low of -4. In the House, points range from +9 to -7. The U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation assigned Senator Kerry a score of -1.

The U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation describes itself as "a diverse coalition working for freedom from occupation and equal rights for all by challenging US policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Campaign is based on human rights and international law, providing a non-sectarian framework for everyone who supports its Call to Action. Its strategy is to inform, educate, and mobilize the public so as to change the US role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." They oppose Israel's security fence, held an international day of action for Rachel Corrie, and oppose a Jewish/Israeli presence in Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank. They also oppose the U.S.-led war in Iraq and the U.S. presence in Iraq. One of their hallmark campaigns encourages divestment from Israel. They support the Palestinian right of return into Israel. Their membership includes ultra-left Jewish groups, Muslim groups, and Christian groups including organizations to oppose US aid to Israel. This organization is anti-Israel.

2001-2002 — On the votes , introduction of legislation, sponsorship or co-sponsorship of legislation and public speaking on legislation, for legistation, that the American Muslims for Jerusalem considered to be the most important in 2001-2002, Senator Kerry, rated -3.

American Muslims for Jerusalem describes itself as "a not for profit organization incorporated in 1999, the organization is committed to the following objectives: To ensure that the concerns of the American Muslim community regarding Jerusalem and its environs are understood and respected in the formulation of U.S. policy. To present accurate and timely information to the mass media and other interested parties. To educate, inform, and mobilize the American Muslim community To raise the awareness of the American society in general and work for a just and comprehensive solution to the issue of Jerusalem. To cooperate with other organizations having similar objectives." They oppose Israel as a "Jewish state," even within the 1948 borders. They support the Palestinain right of return into Israel. They oppose Israeli control over both East and West Jerusalem and do not recognize Israeli sovereignty over any part of Jerusalem. They support the intifada and therefore terrorism against Israelis. They oppose U.S. foreign aid to Israel. They oppose the Geneva Agreement because it legitimizes Israel's right to a Jewish state within the pre-1967 borders. They oppose the U.S. and U.N.-backed "Road Map." This organization is anti-Israel.

2001 — On the votes that the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs (WRMEA) considered to be the most important in 2001, Senator Kerry voted their preferred position 0 percent of the time.

The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs describes itself as "is a 140-page magazine published 10 times per year in Washington, DC, that focuses on news and analysis from and about the Middle East and U.S. policy in that region." The WRMEA publishes many articles that are considered to be anti-Israel and Anti-Zionist. the WRMEA supports the false accusation that there was a coverup regarding the USS Liberty incident. They openly oppose AIPAC, foreign aid to Israel. They oppose Israel's security fence and link to numerous Islamic websites without linking to a proportionate amount of Christian, Jewish, or non-ecumenical websites. They support a Palestinian right-of-return into Israel and oppose a Jewish/Israeli presence in East Jerusalem, Gaza, the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). This organization is anti-Israel.

1998-2002 — On the votes that the Center for Security Policy considered to be the most important in 1998-2002, Senator Kerry voted their preferred position 25 percent of the time.

The Center for Security Policy is a neo-conservative organization which describes itself as an organization that has "since its founding in 1988, operated as a non-profit, non-partisan organization committed to the time-tested philosophy of promoting international peace through American strength. It accomplishes this goal by stimulating and informing national and international policy debates, in particular, those involving regional, defense, economic, financial and technology developments that bear upon the security of the United States." Many of the votes in the interest group rating do not exclusively relate to Israel. The Center for Security Policy is an organization which opposes terror, supports President Bush's "War on Terror," supports the war in Iraq, examines the terror connections between the so-called "peace" movement and militant Islamist organizations. The Center for Security Policy opposes a Palestinian state. They support Israel's right to self-defense and have recently run several pro-Israel advertisements on cable news networks. This organization is pro-Israel.